Sen. Tim Kaine said Wednesday there 's no legal authority for the current U.S. mission against ISIS in Iraq and Syria .

`` We have been engaged in a war -- that is not about imminent defense of the United States -- without legal authority , '' the Virginia Democrat said at the Wilson Center on Wednesday , ahead of a panel discussion on the legal authority for military intervention , moderated by CNN 's Jim Sciutto .

The mission is not covered by either the wording or intent of the 2001 and 2002 authorizations for use of military force as the White House argues , Kaine said , adding that such an argument is `` ridiculous '' and inconsistent with President Barack Obama 's previously stated interpretation of the AUMF .

Kaine , a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , has proposed a new , limited authorization , specifically targeted to the current mission against ISIS . `` We should deal with it right away , '' he said , stressing that it could be accomplished in the lame-duck session in Congress .

Rand Paul on ISIS response : ` This war is now illegal '

He 's also calling for changes to the War Powers Resolution that will result in a `` better process '' for war authorization .

In a statement last week , Kaine said he was `` encouraged '' by Obama 's recent willingness to work with Congress on a new authorization , but also `` troubled by suggestions today that Congress should wait until the new Congressional session in 2015 to take this vote . ''

`` We have already asked too many U.S. service members to risk their lives without a political consensus behind this mission , '' he added .

What to expect from the lame duck Congress

The current AUMF was passed in 2001 , just days after the 9/11 attacks . Though the language of the authorization only covers military action against those who `` planned , authorized , committed , or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11 , 2001 , or harbored such organizations or persons , '' in recent years it has been used to cover action against any group or individual the administration considers associated with al Qaeda .

A second authorization for use of military force against Iraq was passed in 2002 , permitting the president to `` defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq '' and `` enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq . ''

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Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine argues that the fight against ISIS has not been legally authorized

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He wants the White House to come to Congress so the country can have a debate